School Board Reacts to Minister's Directive

The chair of the Rainy River District School Board calls talk of a legislative settlement by the province for Ontario's teachers predictable.

Education Minister Laurel Broten is first giving boards until the end of August a shot to come up with deals that includes a two-year wage freeze.

Chair Mike Lewis says whether the board can meet the Ministry's deadline is still to be determined.

Lewis says the board had already planned talks in September with the union representing high school teachers before the Minister's directive.

Mining Matters Workshop Returns

Rainy River Resources is giving people a chance to learn more about the company, its gold project and mining in general.

A three-day Mining Matters workshop begins next Wednesday in Fort Frances.

Kyle Stanfield, a company vice-president says it includes a tour of their project north of Barwick.

The company sponsored the event last year with great success.

Seventy spaces are available this time round.


Free registration can be made through the company's website.

Portage Avenue Underpass Closed Today

Portage Avenue underpass will be closed to vehicle traffic again today (Wednesday) from 7 a,m, to 7 p.m.

Work crews are continuing to install electrical cable as part of upgrades to the sewage pumping station.

Pedestrians and bicycles can go through by using the road portion.

Sioux Lookout Area Highway Remained

MPP Sarah Campbell photo

A northwestern Ontario highway now bears the name of a late MPP known for his work in the region.

Highway 664 has been renamed Leo Bernier Memorial Highway.

The announcement was made yesterday by Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle.


The memorial highway stretches 17 kilometres from Hudson to Highway 72 near Bernier's birthplace of Sioux Lookout.

Bernier -- nicknamed ``King of the North'' -- was first elected for the Progressive Conservatives in a 1966 by-election and stayed at Queen's Park until he retired in 1987.

He later became the first ever Northern Affairs and Mines Minister in 1971.

Motorcycle Accident Sends One To Hospital

An Alberta man remains in a Winnipeg hospital with serious injuries following an accident involving a motorcycle in the Rainy River district Sunday night.

OPP say the 24-year-old lost control of his bike on Worthington Road Number 3 in Dawson Township, about half-a-kilometre from Highway 11, and ended up in the ditch.

Police say the man was not wearing a helmet.

Filing Period For Minnesota Civic Elections Now Open

The filing period for candidates seeking to run in civic elections in Minnesota this fall is now underway.

They'll have until August 14th to declare with local municipal offices.

Two seats on International Falls council will be contested, including the position of Mayor, taken over recently by Tim McBride from Shawn Mason who stepped down to take on a job with the city.

McBride's former councillor-at-large seat is also up for grabs.

Filings for the position of Mayor of Rainer, now held by Ed Oerichbauer, and two council seats are also being accepted by that city clerk's office.